Surf Near Balangan

In 1936, Bob Koke, a californian who moved in the island from Hawaii, with his wife Louise, opened a hotel in Kuta. He had brought with him a longboard and this is how the history of surf began in Bali. Surfing didn’t become immediately popular and Bob had all the waves for himself, unfortunately he didn’t know about the Bukit. In the 60’s surfers starter to travel to Bali and the peninsula’s breaks were discovered.

Bali is now one of favorite spots for surfers, who come to this paradise island from all over the world. The breaks are relatively uncrowded compared to Australia and California, the water is warm and it is possible to get some surf all year round: there are beach breaks such as Kuta and Dreamland and also reef breaks like Balangan and the famous Uluwatu. You can get left hand breaks in the Bukit but also right hand breaks like in Balangan surf spot.

From April to October, dry season, the western side of the Bukit is the best area where to surf thanks to the trade winds. Balangan is located on this part of the island, just one kilometer north of Dreamland, turn left at the crossroad on Jalan Uluwatu main road. It is about 30 minutes drive from Kuta heading to the south.

Balangan is a reef break, but with a high tide it is also a nice place to learn surfing or have a long fun ride (100- 200 meters lenght). It is a perfect left hand when the direction of the wind is south-east with a middle tide, Balangan it is not well known  so the spot is not crowded. The break is spread out between what seems to be 3 peaks starting at the point to the far left. All left handers.The great thing about Balangan for surfers is that the beach is nice, there are some warungs where you can have some good indonesian meals and a large Bintang (indonesian beer) looking at the sunset.

 

For a surfer looking to spend some time at the beach and surf everyday this might the right place. Furthermore there are many other spots where to surf near Balangan, such as Uluwatu, Pandang-Padang ( only for advenced surfers), Bingin and Dreamland. 

This area is also known for its white sandy beaches, green hills, balinese temples such as the Pura Balangan and of course the monkeys that you can meet all around the Bukit. The food is really good among the peninsula, the restaurants serve traditional indonesian food and fresh fish, one of the most famous places to eat is Jimbaran a town, just a few minutes from Balangan where fishermen sell their fish and you can eat it on the beach, watching the ocean and the stars, very suggestive. If you wish to relax and have a good surfing holiday in Bali you must visit this part of the island, and it is just 40 minutes drive from the parties and shops of the turistic Kuta. 

Just drop into the surfers rhythm with one of the world’s best surf regions on your own doorstep: You will have only one thing in mind: surfing, and nothing else!